In the Digital Age, What Becomes of the Library?

This is a thoughtful article that addresses a vexing question - what is the library to be in the digital age?  Clearly, the era of the library as a repository of physical books has some value, but with information accessible through digital formats, the role for the library must change.

Clark Library, Lockhart TX

A couple of years ago, I was the Chief Academic Officer at a community college that had a large collection of bound volumes.  The problem was, nobody used them.  I could randomly select book after book and see that actual circulation (check out) of the books almost never happened.  The college had a situation the required us to occupy the library building for other purposes.  We developed a process for the faculty to select the books that they wanted to retain.  We held the other volumes in storage for over a year, then we recycled the culled books and bound periodicals.  The collection was reduced by over 25,000 volumes.  There were no complaints.  Today, this college has recreated the library as a gathering place and a source of assistance in obtaining information - mostly online.

For public libraries, the situation is a bit different.  One of the most important assets of a public library is the provision of freely distributed books for children.  The access to reading material provided, especially for low-income families, is very important.  Yes, the public libraries also face the digital dilemma - how to remain relevant in the information age.  The article below covers many of the important issues.  I especially like the comment of Youth Services Librarian and blogger Louise Capizzo who states, "Ask yourself what you want to see in your library. Talk to your librarian. Then, advocate for those changes. You are to blame if your library doesn’t have what you want.”

Good advice. From Mind/Shift, a collaboration between
NPR and San Francisco public media station KQED

In the Digital Age, What Becomes of the Library? | MindShift